This week, the General Assembly reconvened for a special session to fill a vacancy on the State Corporation Commission. After much discussion with the Senate there was no agreement on who should fill the vacancy. House Republicans then voted to adjourn the session. However, recognizing that we still have more work to do, the Senate voted against adjournment. We are at an unfortunate stalemate.
Mark your calendar! The annual McLean Artfest is coming up on Saturday, October 2nd from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McLean Central Park. Once again, I am sponsoring a tent to display the work of talented local artists with autism and other disabilities. Artfest is a free event featuring 40 regional artists, food vendors, a music stage, and activities for children. I hope to see you there.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Delegate Kathleen Murphy
VA-34
Route 7 Upcoming Lane Closures for Sept. 11-16, 2022
Crews will be performing excavation and fill operations, clearing, storm pipe work, paving and other construction-related activities on Sept. 11-16 along eastbound and westbound Route 7 and on other neighborhood streets. As a reminder, drivers will experience lane shifts on Route 7, traffic pattern changes on neighborhood streets, and detours along the corridor. Please see the related traffic alerts. Temporary road closures are listed here. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit along Route 7 has been temporarily reduced to 45 miles per hour in active work zones between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive.
Effective Jan. 1, 2021, it is illegal to hold a handheld personal communications device (e.g., your smartphone) while driving a moving motor vehicle on Virginia highways. Click here for more information, including details on the five exceptions to this law.
2023 House Page Program
Each year the Speaker of the House of Delegates appoints 13- and 14-year-olds from across the Commonwealth to serve as House Pages during the Regular Session of the General Assembly. Appointed House Pages assist the Members of the House of Delegates and the House Clerk’s Office staff in performing the daily duties required for the successful operation of the House of Delegates during session. If your child is interested in applying and would like a letter of recommendation from Delegate Murphy, please contact her Chief of Staff, Madison McCabe, at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Great Falls 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Six residents of Great Falls perished in the 9/11 attacks. Please join us at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial on Sunday, September 11th from 5:00pm-6:00pm for a special ceremony to honor them and all who sacrificed on that day and its aftermath. All are invited.
The 9/11 Heroes Run 5K welcomes runners, ruckers, and walkers of all ages and fitness levels to honor the heroes of 9/11 and those who've served our nation since. We activate & unite communities and empower local veterans, active duty, first responders, and families of the fallen. The Northern Virginia Run takes place on Sunday, September 11th at 8:00am at Oakton Elementary School.
4th Annual NOVA Veterans Appreciation Event
Join us for our 4th Annual Partner and Sponsor Appreciation Event on September 11th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at George C. Marshall’s Dodona Manor! We are honored to have Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears as our guest speaker. Come enjoy light fare and drinks as we appreciate the partners and sponsors who make NOVA Veterans Association the life-giving bridge in service to our most vulnerable veterans.
Congress designated September 11th of each year as Patriot Day to commemorate those who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and onboard United Flight 93. VolunteerFest 2022 is a great way for students and families to engage in service. VolunteerFest will kick off on Sunday, September 11th with at-home projects and will also be offering a variety of in-person volunteer opportunities across Fairfax County the weekend of September 17th and 18th.
Supporting Families During Back to School: The Child Tax Credit & Affordable Connectivity Program
Please join the White House and community partners on Monday, September 12th at 1:00pm ET, for a virtual back to school workshop on how to support families through two programs:
- the expanded Child Tax Credit, which provides payments to eligible families with children, and
- the Affordable Connectivity Program, which helps eligible families access high-speed internet.
During this special event, you will learn how your state, Tribal, county, or local government agency, school district, and/or community- and faith-based organization can help families access these programs and best practices for effective outreach to eligible Americans, and what support and resources are available for this outreach. Register here.
CDC Recommends the First Updated COVID-19 Booster
CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendations for use of updated COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for people ages 12 years and older and from Moderna for people ages 18 years and older. Updated COVID-19 boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the current vaccine composition, helping to restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination by targeting variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading.
Providence District Democrats’ 1st Annual Mobilization Fair
On Sunday, September 18th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, the Providence District Dems are hosting an annual Mobilization Fair. At this free event, you'll have an opportunity to meet local elected officials, connect with progressive advocacy groups, and learn how you can support the local Democratic party. More details are on the flyer below and you can register online here.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, October 2: McLean Artfest
Artfest is a festival held the first Sunday in October with 40 regional artists, food vendors, a music stage and kids activities. It is free and open to the public.
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: McLean Central Park
1468 Dolley Madison Boulevard, Mclean, VA 22102
Thursday, October 6: Women Veterans Roundtable
Women veterans are invited to share their experiences, issues, and specific concerns with local leaders and policymakers.
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: McLean Government Center
1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101
